Ida Tarbell: Pioneer Investigative Reporter (World Writers) [Library Binding]

Barbara A. Somervill (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 2002 | Series: World Writers

Follows the life of Ida Tarbell, from her childhood among the oil fields of western Pennsylvania through her career as a biographer and investigative journalist.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 7-10-A well-researched biography of the investigative journalist and author. Starting with Tarbell's childhood in the oil fields of western Pennsylvania, Somervill presents a lively and interesting portrait of this ambitious, adventurous woman. Tarbell's journalistic career began at a small newspaper in Pennsylvania, but after she moved to Paris she wrote biographies that appeared in installments in McClure's magazine. Her most famous work, on John D. Rockefeller, stemmed from her early interest in the oil business and what she saw as Rockefeller's unfair business practices. This series prompted the formation of new legislation to control powerful corporations. Tarbell also covered subjects such as labor and women's roles in American society. She incurred the wrath of progressive women, however, as she herself did not espouse equal rights, even though she had forged a career in a male-dominated profession. Average-quality, black-and-white photos of the woman, her associates, and her subjects enhance the text. A fine selection for any biography collection.
Carol Fazioli, formerly at The Brearley School, New York City
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 6-9. This entry in the World Writers series is a satisfying biography of the woman credited as the first "muckraker" journalist. Touching briefly on Tarbell's childhood in "the oil patch" of nineteenth-century Pennsylvania, the text focuses on the journalist's iconoclastic career, detailing her struggles and failings as well as her triumphs, most famously her expose of John D. Rockefeller that helped turn public opinion against Standard Oil and contributed to the break-up of the oil trust. Readers with an interest in investigative journalism will also enjoy learning about the field's background, and the author offers plenty of intriguing historical details about early-twentieth-century industries, factory conditions, and corporate corruption. Enhanced by sporadic black-and-white photos, this is an engaging, informative portrait of a subject not often given attention in youth titles. Extensive source notes and a somewhat uneven bibliography are appended. Gillian Engberg
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Library Binding: 112 pages
• Publisher: M. Reynolds. (April 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1883846870
• ISBN-13: 978-1883846879
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.7 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.8 ounces
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,266,739 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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